What are European Works Councils (EWCs)?

EWCs are bodies set up to enable management and the workforce to discuss issues which affect an organisation and its employees that are based in more than one of the 28 countries within the European Economic Area (EEA).

The driver behind the formation of EWCs is the European Community Directive 94/45/EC, which came into force in 1994 and became UK law in 1999.

There are currently thought to be some 650 companies that have actually set up EWCs. An organisation may be required to establish an EWC if it employs at least 1,000 employees within the EU member states and at least 150 employees in each of at least two member states.

The EWC Directive also makes provision for a transnational procedure. A model agreement for a transnational procedure is viewable in the members area of the website.